SM North’s Ben Burchstead Thursday joined the list of high school athletes who signed up for a college athletic career. Burchstead will head to the University of Kansas to run cross country and track.

Burchstead has a long list of accomplishments, including all state, all Sunflower League, all metro first team and nominee for all metro senior athlete of the year in cross country. In track he was all state in the 3200 in 2013.

His personal record in the 5,000 meters in cross country is 15:21. He is a two-time state qualifier and placed in the top 20. In track he was a two-time qualifier in the 1600 and 3200. His bests include 4:29 in the 1600, 9:46.27 in the 3200, 4:28.45 in the 1,000 and 4:30.99 in the mile.

SM North Athletic Director George Sallas told the students who assembled for the signing, “this is what happens when hard work and selflessness come together – someone pays your way to college.”

Coach Aaron Davidson said “intense” and “driven” were his top descriptions of Burchstead.